Monday Sikes Lake Return Free Of Rain & Lightning Strikes

The forecast for this second day of the 2026 version of November was for heavy rain and thunderstorms starting by 7 this morning.

However, upon the arrival of the sun to begin its daily illumination duty, I looked out my bedroom window and saw a clear blue sky with no clouds to be seen.

So, what with the outer world looking so pleasant, I decided the Wichita Bluff Nature Area would be today's location today of my daily nature communing and endorphin acquisition.

However, when it came time to exit my abode for outdoor activity, the sky was totally covered with angry looking clouds, blotting out the sun. No blue sky to be seen in any direction.

And the earlier dead calm had been replaced by strong gusts of wind.

Apparently, the weather forecast was off by a few hours.

Not wanting to be on the Wichita Bluffs when rain opted to pour and lightning to strike I decided to return to nearby Sikes Lake for my outdoor fun.

As you can see via the above photo documentation of today's view of the lake, looking southwest from Sikes Lake's rocky eastern shore, the wind is whipping up some waves. And the sky looks like it could begin behaving badly at any moment.

Fortunately, I was able to complete my endorphin acquisition whilst staying totally dry and free of any lightning strikes.

Speaking of waves. I am sort of anxious awaiting tomorrow's anticipated BLUE WAVE. I shall likely be staying up late tomorrow night.

Sunless Sikes Lake With Blooming Sunflowers On November 1

On this first day of the 2026 version of November, the day after Halloween, it was back to nearby Sikes Lake I commuted for some cloudy, pleasantly temperatured nature communing and endorphin acquisition after a night of seeing way too many trick or treating beggars.

First day of November and wild sunflowers are still busy blooming along the Sikes Lake lakeshore. Colorful wildflowers are one thing Texas does well.

Today was predicted to be foggy, but, so far, I have seen nothing of that type weather action. Just clouds.

Tomorrow, the day before one of the most seriously important elections in America's history, the current weather prediction is for downpours, thunderstorms, flash flooding and possible tornadoes.

Wednesday Sikes Lake Nature Communing With Trump & Obama

It was back to nearby Sikes Lake I ventured on this morning of the final Wednesday of the 2026 version of October for some extremely pleasant nature communing and endorphin acquisition.

As you can see, via the photo documentation of the view from the rocky eastern shore, looking southwest, there are some waves waving on the lake, clearly indicating a bit of a wind is blowing.

The wind made the temperature, which was in the upper 60s, feel a bit cooler, which only added to the extreme pleasantness.

The nature communing helped a bit to ameliorate the foul mood I was feeling, being annoyed at how some Trumpnuts, supposed friends of mine, can be so woefully oblivious to the utter irony of their hypocritical upset at me for pointing out, clearly, that they were being embarrassingly stupid. Somehow, such is unforgivably rude for someone like me to make a totally accurate statement of fact. I mean, sometimes stupid is stupid. Clear and simple. 

And then you have their cult leader, frequently saying various persons are stupid, like just morning I saw a bizarre video of Trump saying Obama was a stupid man, making that stupidity clear by how Obama compared Trump's White House to the Cheesecake Factory.

The irony. Trump once again sounding incredibly stupid whilst saying someone else is stupid.

I have yet to vote. I think I shall so tomorrow, at the Sikes Senter, a mall by Sikes Lake.

Saturday Sikes Lake Perfect Nature Communing

On this next to last Saturday of the 2026 version of October, I opted to journey to nearby Sikes Lake for my daily nature communing and the resulting endorphin acquisition.

As you can see, via the photo documentation of the view looking southwest from the rocky eastern shore of Sikes Lake, the outer world at my location is currently what I think is known as dead calm. Also known as near perfect weather.

No wind. A few wisps of clouds. Temperature in the upper 60s. That is around 40 degrees colder than it was just a few days ago. I think this likely is the cause of the much larger number of fellow nature communers today making their way around the lake via various means, walking, jogging, running, biking, skateboarding.

I have long found it odd that I often see skateboarders skateboarding in this town. But, I have never seen anyone roller blading.

I roller bladed frequently when I lived in the DFW zone.

My one and only time trying to roller blade in Wichita Falls, was at Sikes Lake. But, when I went to put the roller blades on I found they were broken. I can't remember why I made no effort to replace the broken roller blades.

I've replaced three bikes since I have been in this town.

Currently I am free of bikes, roller blades and skateboards. Leaving my feet my only non-motorized means of motion.

Wednesday Whole Walk Around Sikes Lake Return

It was back to Sikes Lake this beautiful, pleasantly temperatured third Wednesday of the 2026 version of October, for some salubrious nature communing, along with hordes of others seeking the same thing.

In the first of three instances of photo documentation, we are the east side of the lake, looking at a little water spilling over the spillway of the Sikes Lake Dam. It has been a long time since we have seen any water spilling over this dam. 

Now, let's walk to the west end of Sikes Lake.

Now we are at the west end of the lake, on the bridge which crosses the creek which empties into Sikes Lake. That white spot you see at the far side of the lake is the dam location we were at in the first photo.

Let's turn around and look out from the other side of the bridge, looking west.

The creek emptying into Sikes Lake looks a bit like a bayou. One frequently sees fisherpersons fishing at this location. But, none today.

Sikes Lake is stalked with fish, twice a year. When this happens, I do not know.

It sure would be mighty nice if today's pleasant temperature was a year round reality. No need for any interior climate control, no air-conditioning, no heat.

Just Mother Nature being even tempered...

Pleasant Sikes Lake Nature Communing Musing About Voting & Un-Friending Facebook Trumpers

With the temperature barely into the 60s, as measured by the Fahrenheit method, it was to nearby Sikes Lake I motored for some extremely enjoyable nature communing and endorphin acquisition on this third Tuesday of the 2026 version of October, along with a lot of other nature communers, many opting for the jogging option.

The photo documentation, above, is today's view, looking southwest, from the rocky eastern shore of Sikes Lake.

Early voting began yesterday in Texas. I have not yet done so. 

Some counties in Texas are reporting record breaking numbers of first day early voters, numbers way higher than the first day of early voting in a general election.

So, this would seem to portend well for the predicted, hoped for, big blue wave rolling across the country.

This morning I did something I have never done before. Un-friended a few Facebook friends.

Trumpers.

Trumpers of the classic Dunning-Kruger sort, idiotically hypocritically ignorant with zero awareness of how stupid they make themselves seem to be. These sorts do not deal with actual facts, reason and reality. And thus have zero awareness of their wanton hypocrisy.

The ones I un-friended I had not seen in person in a few decades. Long ago they were not what one might think of as bright lights. In other words, long ago, pre-being Trumpers, they were dim bulbs.

My early voting location is walking distance from Sikes Lake. Sikes Senter. That is the name of the one and only mall in Wichita Falls. That someone thought it clever to spell Center with an 'S' is sort of embarrassing. I suspect whoever it was, is currently a Trumper...

Back To Sikes Lake For Semi-Stormy Nature Communing With The Ducks

On this second Wednesday of the 2026 version of October, the weather prediction for days has been predicting rain and thunderstorms for today.

So, with that forecast in mind, under an overcast sky, with a strong wind gusting, I made my way to nearby Sikes Lake, once again, for some nature communing and endorphin acquisition. 

I had been seeing the above dock, on the ground, under construction the past couple weeks. Wondering, each time I saw it, what it's function was going to be on a lake which forbids swimming, kayaking, or any form of boating. 

Fishing is allowed though. And the lake is stocked a couple times a year. One frequently sees fisherpersons fishing from various locations around the lake.

Even though clouding blocked the sun, the temperature still managed to get into the low 80s, with the humidity rendering me as bad a sweaty mess as what I suffered at the HOTTEST of summer.

A couple years ago there was an extremely controversial mass extermination of the rather large, varied, Sikes Lake goose population. The mass extermination was met with big post-extermination protests.

I did not mind the geese being gone. Some were quite aggressive. But, I did not like the mass extermination. I thought catch and move would have been much better.

Since the extermination some geese have returned to Sikes Lake. But they are outnumbered by a different bird.

Ducks.

Lots of ducks. I think ducks are cuter than geese. And less aggressive. I like the way they quack and waddle. And the baby ducks, are those known as ducklings, are really cute.

Above you see a flock of resting ducks near the Wichita Falls Museum of Art.

By the time I was back in my motorized means of motion, and started up the engine, raindrops began splattering on the windshield. By the time I made it the short distance back to my abode the rain was almost raining down hard.

Looking out my computer room window, it looks stormy out there.

Warm Sikes Lake Saturday With Ducks

The return of Summer continues, with highs in the 90s, the A/C cooling during the day. 

With the return of Summer currently predicted to last for many coming days, it was back to nearby Sikes Lake I ventured the morning of this second Saturday of the 2026 version of October, for some pleasant nature communing, endorphin acquisition and duck visiting.

The above photo documentation shows a few of the ducks I visited today, lounging under the shade of a tree from which the leaves have yet to fall.

In the photo we are looking southeast, from the west side of Sikes Lake.

You can see, via the mirror-like lake surface, that the air is being dead calm today. I like to have some breeze blowing when the sky has no clouds blocking the sun.

Thursday Warm Sikes Lake Nature Communing

For my daily nature communing and endorphin acquisition, it was back to nearby Sikes Lake on this second Thursday of the 2026 version of October.

As you can see the outer world is dead calm today at my location, with nary a cloud in the clear blue sky.

What you can not see is that Summer has returned after a multi-day cool break, with today's high predicted to hit the mid 90s, as measured by the Fahrenheit method.

Yesterday the A/C was back in cooling mode, but what with it not actually being Summer any longer, at night the air has been naturally chilling enough that the A/C does not feel the need to turn itself on.

Cold water, out of the tap, is back being cold, after being warmer than lukewarm for months. This requires getting some used to, having to mix some hot water in with the cold in order to have oneself a comfortable shower.

In the above photo documentation, you are on the west side of Sikes Lake, looking northeast. You can almost make out the bridge which takes you across a narrow section of the lake, connecting the east side with the west.

Dead Calm Tuesday Walk Around The Sikes Lake Blue Mirror

On this extremely sunny first Tuesday of the 2026 version of October, it was back to nearby Sikes Lake I ventured for some pleasant nature communing, and the resulting endorphin acquisition, along with throngs of other enjoying the dead calm, with air warmed to barely being in the 70s, as measured by the Fahrenheit method.

The photo documentation is the view, looking north, at the Sikes Lake dam spillway, which I have not seen spilling anything significantly for it seems like years. The water you see below the dam's spillway is from a big pipeline drain, draining water, I assume from the lake.

It seems like it has been quite some time since I have seen a day like today, dead calm, no wind, not a cloud in the sky, the lake, blue, looking like a giant mirror.

We got down to the low 60s last night. The A/C cycled on a couple times yesterday. I have yet to feel the need to switch the climate control from COOL to HEAT.

I suspect it will not be long til I feel the chilly need to switch to HEAT.

Chilly Drippy Saturday Walk Around Sikes Lake Reflecting Pool

On this cloudy, rainy, first Saturday of the 2026 version of October, it was to nearby Sikes Lake I ventured for some semi-chilly, drippy nature communing and endorphin acquisition.

As you can see, Sikes Lake is no longer in dried up drought mode. Sikes Lake is now in reflecting pool mode.

In the above photo documentation, we are looking south from the middle of the pedestrian bridge which connects the trail from the east side of the lake, to the west side.

The temperature was in the mid 60s when I did my nature communing. Just a few days ago it was more than 40 degrees hotter.

It was chilly enough, yesterday, that for the first time in months, I wore full-sized, complete leg-covering blue jeans to Walmart.

I suspect tonight I will find myself needing to get undercover whilst in bedtime sleep mode. I know those covers are somewhere in the walk-in closet where I keep such things. It ought not be too hard to find.

Tuesday Nature Communing At Rain Filled Sikes Lake

It was to nearby Sikes Lake I ventured this morning of the final Tuesday of the 2026 version of September, for some salubrious nature communing and its resulting endorphin acquisition. 

I was a little surprised to see, upon seeing Sikes Lake, that yesterday's drenching downpour was of sufficient volume to cover, with water, the part of Sikes Lake which has been a totally dry lakebed for many months.

More rain is expected later today, with hour of rain and thunderstorms and flash floods predicted for tomorrow and several following days.

I think the North Texas drought may be over. For now.

Final September Saturday Hiking Sikes Lake With Music

With rain and thunderstorms on the weather menu for this final Saturday of the 2026 version of September, it was to nearby Sikes Lake I ventured for my daily nature communing, along with a large throng of other nature communers.

I've never seen so many people on the Sikes Lake Trail as I saw today. Some were heading to what I saw as I was crossing the bridge over the lake.

And now we are on that aforementioned bridge, looking west, with a cloudy sky overhead. The next photo is what I saw as I crossed the bridge.

Some sort of music event under the Sikes Lake Pavilion, with the dry lakebed in the foreground.

I do not recollect ever previously hearing beautiful music emanating from this location.

I hope rain does arrive today. The recent days with such a forecast have not seen a single drip. The temperature was an extremely pleasant 75 degrees when I began the Sikes Lake hike today.

Post Summer Sikes Lake Nature Communing

Two days away from the end of Summer, still plenty warm, but not warm enough to require the air-conditioned comfort of Walmart for my daily nature communing and endorphin acquisition.

Yesterday, in the late afternoon, driving to the aforementioned Walmart, a few raindrops hit my windshield, no more than a dozen. Today actual accumulative levels of rain is predicted.

If rain does arrive today, I doubt it will be in a quantity sufficient to take Sikes Lake out of its current low-level state.

It was to Sikes Lake I went this morning for my nature communing. That would be a view (looking south from the north end of the lake) of the current dry state of Sikes Lake you see in the above photo documentation. The dry lakebed looks as if grass is growing on it.

In the center of the above photo you can see, if you look closely, the pedestrian bridge which crosses the dry lake. 

Let's go out on that bridge for another southern look at the dry lake.

This section of the lake is now almost totally dried up. There is still water in the part of Sikes Lake south of the causeway you see at the top of the photo.

Is this the lowest level this lake has ever been? This town does not have a real newspaper which makes note of such things.

A Relatively Chilly Sikes Lake Nature Commune With Vultures

With the temperature in the upper 70s, it was to nearby Sikes Lake I ventured for my morning nature communing and endorphin acquisition on this next to last Monday of the 2026 version of September.

None of yesterday's predicted rain precipitated, rendering Sikes Lake at its lowest level yet. Rain is also predicted to precipitate today, but currently the sky is clear blue, with nary a cloud to be seen in any direction.

I do not know why a DO NOT ENTER sign is needed to be attached to that cyclone fence, a fence which would seem to render entering not too doable. There looked to be a couple vultures out on the causeway, or whatever one might call the dike-like structure which crosses Sikes Lake, currently rendering the part of Sikes Lake to the right, or north, of the dike, in the photo, to be totally dry. 

On the left, or south side of the dike, Sikes Lake still looks to have a good supply of water, with a few dry spots.

Today will mark the second day in a row the temperature has not gone to 100 or above, for what seems a long time.

Currently my A/C is working way less than it has had to lately. Last night it was chilly enough that I turned off both my bedroom fans.

I do not remember ever looking forward to winter like I am currently. 

Thursday Nature Communing Around Relatively Cool Sikes Lake

The Wichita Falls outer world natural air-conditioned temperature was pleasant enough this third Thursday morning of the 2026 version of September to negate the need to do my nature communing and endorphin acquisition in Walmart. 

The temperature was in the upper 70s when I exited my abode. I keep my interior space cooled to 80 degrees. So those 70 degrees felt relatively chilly.

As you can see via the photo documentation from the rocky east shore of Sikes Lake the sky is totally blue, totally free of clouds. That should be the case, maybe, til Sunday, the first day in a long time not predicted to go over 100 or above. 

Sikes Lake is in desperate need of having some rain fall, as you can see via the below photo documentation.

That blue in the distance is the part of Sikes Lake you saw in the first photo. The above view is what Sikes Lake looks like from the bridge that crosses this currently dry section of the lake. 

Semi-Cool 9/11 Nature Communing Around Sikes Lake With David's Birthday & Theo's Garden

Today was chilled enough that outdoor nature communing was doable and pleasant. And so it was to Sikes Lake I ventured for the first time in quite a few days, getting my daily endorphin dose whilst breathing in pleasant outdoor air, instead of that air-conditioned Walmart air which causes me to sneeze.

As you can see, via the above photo documentation, the ongoing drought has shriveled Sikes Lake to the lowest level I've seen since I have been in this town. Yesterday's predicted possible rain only produced a couple drops.

Tomorrow, as you can see. via the below screen cap, we are predicted to break a temperature record set way back years before I was born.

Today, September 11, is my Favorite David Nephew's birthday. His is one of the easiest birthdates to remember, sadly.

I texted David a Happy Birthday text, this morning. David is now old enough to vote.

Texting David, I remember I have been intending to text message David's little brother, my Favorite Theo Nephew, to ask for an update on his gardening project.

Almost instantly Theo got back to me with a message, along with three photos of his garden. It's an impressive operation. 

Sadly, I could not get Theo's photos off my phone. I think the Tacoma relative's phones are Apple I-phones. Maybe that is why I can't get them off my phone. I can see Theo's photos on the phone, but when I click to get them off the phone, like what works with photos like the Sikes Lake photo, all I get is a blank black screen. I tried each of the photo programs on my computer, with the same blank black result.

I could easily get Theo's text off the phone, though. Here's is Theo's text message about his gardening operation...

The tomatoes are starting to die, but they have produced so many tomatoes this year. Also, we took out some of the other vegetables and are putting in new Fall vegetables. That's what the sprouts are. Also, we have some pumpkins planted. 

I have not yet given up on successfully getting Theo's photos off the phone...

HOT Texas Nature Communing Around Shrinking Sikes Lake

On this second day of the 2026 version of September, I found myself in the mood for outdoor nature communing, instead of the indoor air-conditioned nature communing I have been doing, of late, due to the outer world being way too HOT.

So, it was to nearby Sikes Lake I drove to do some high-speed walking. Which would make the above photo documentation the view one sees looking south from under the Sikes Lake Pavilion. 

See that bridge in the middle of the photo, bridging over shrinking Sikes Lake. In the next photo we will be standing on that bridge, also looking south.

Those two spots you see in the middle of the photo, in the water, looked to me to be seagulls. Do seagulls venture so far inland? I suspect not. Maybe these were albino geese, if such a thing exists.

It is about 20 days til Fall arrives. I hope Fall's arrival brings with it significantly colder temperatures. The current 10-day forecast has us going over 100 degrees, each of those 10 days.

Relatively Chilly Nature Communing Shrinking Sikes Lake

For the first time in what seems like weeks, the outer world temperature chilled to a level comfortable enough for outdoor endorphin acquisition, instead of the stifling air-conditioned comfort of Walmart, WinCo, Target or Lowe's.

So, with the temperature barely in the 80s, under a totally cloudy sun-free sky, it was to Sikes Lake I ventured for the first time in what seems like a long time, for some extremely pleasant communing with nature.

From the above photo documentation from the rocky east shore of Sikes Lake, looking west, one might think the ongoing drought has had no dire effect on this particular North Texas lake. One would be wrong to think that.

Above is what Sikes Lake looks like a short distance north of that view from the rocky east shore. I don't know why the duck flock hangs out at this part of the lake, instead of the part which currently does not look as if it is drying up.

Above and below, we are at the far north end of Sikes Lake, looking south. As you can see, mostly dried up.

With this section dried up for a long enough time for green vegetation to sprout.

Above I am heading back to my vehicular transport, standing on the middle of the bridge which takes one from one side of Sikes Lake to the other.

Possible precipitation was in the forecast today, along with the temperature only going to 99 degrees, as measured by the Fahrenheit method. I did not expect to see any rain, as of late rain predictions have not been close to being accurate.

But, I was barely back in my vehicle, windows rolled down, when big drops of wet started hitting the windshield, soon falling copiously enough that I rolled up the windows, and took the above photo.

The temperature is currently forecast to be back well over 100 for this weekend's Hotter 'N Hell 100 bike event.

Nature Communing At Parched Sikes Lake Thinking About Washington Wildfires

For the first time in several days, on this third day of the 2026 version of August, it was to an outdoor venue, instead of Walmart, I ventured to do my nature communing and endorphin acquiring.

That outdoor venue today was Sikes Lake.

The temperature was in the low 80s. The past two days we have not heated over 100 degrees. Starting today, and into the near future, each August day is predicted to get over 100 degrees, as measured by the Fahrenheit method.

As you can see, via the photo documentation of the view, looking south, from the north end of Sikes Lake, the lake is currently experiencing a water shortage. That is a line of geese on the sand bar created by the falling lake level.

So far, our lack of rain has not caused that which is green to turn brown, for the most part. 

Meanwhile, the longtime drought and parched conditions in my old home state of Washington has resulted in massive wildfires. The worst of which has forced the evacuation of over 60,000 Spokane residents, and has burned and destroyed hundreds of Spokane homes.

My longtime dear friend, Alice, has been reporting, via Facebook updates, her current condition in Tonasket. Tonasket is a small Eastern Washington town, north of Chelan and Wenatchee. Two days ago, Tonasket's law enforcement rolled through town with a loudspeaker informing Tonasketans that they were under a Level 2 Evacuation Warning. Level 2 means you need to be ready to evacuate, should the Level go to 3.

So far, Alice has seen a lot of smoke, and flames in the distance, but the fires have stayed out of Tonasket.